One of many reasons why this Government is so unpopular is Gordon Brown's sleight of hand. You know what I mean - the nifty little tricks that imply that the Government is helping someone or something -when in reality they are doing the precise opposite.
I was reminded of this with the recent Budget. For months now, I have been working with Harlow Bingo Club in a campaign to remove VAT from Bingo participation fees. The Bingo Club is a community Institution, has 42,000 members in Harlow, and is used by young and old alike. This VAT tax was crucifying the Bingo industry, leading to the closures of clubs up and down the country.
So, it was good news that, after much lobbying, including a local petition, Chancellor Alistair Darling, announced in the Budget, a removal of the VAT for Bingo - or so we thought. In a classic case of Gordon Brown trickery, the Treasury have instead increased Bingo duty, from 15% to 22%. The net effect of this means that Bingo will have to pay millions of pounds more to the Taxman, than they were doing under the old unfair VAT system. This is because Bingo duty affects revenue from all games of duty, whereas the reduction in VAT benefits less than one-third of revenue from Bingo. What is even worse, is that this change has been imposed without prior indication of consultation and was brought in under the cover of removing the discredited VAT tax.
The impact of this new tax rate could have dire consequences for clubs like Harlow and will impact on the thousands and thousands who enjoy the game, not forgetting the many who are employed by Bingo Clubs.
I have said it before and I say it again here, I am not a gambler, have no love for Casinos and the like, but fundamentally believe that Bingo Clubs like the one in Harlow, are wonderful places, in the heart of the community. Loved by staff and customers alike, they provide an important social amenity, which should not be discounted. What Gordon Brown has done, is more than a sly-trick - its unforgivable.
By Rob Halfon ~ Working hard for Harlow, Hastingwood, Nazeing, Roydon & Sheering. http//roberthalfon.blogspot.com
This is so unfair to the large number of pensioners for whom their bingo night or day out is the only time they go out anywhere.
ReplyDeleteThe bingo hall is a social club to such pensioners and to other, one where they can have meal if they want to and meet friends they don't see at any other time.
What possible justification can there be for 22% VAT this harmless leisure activity which so many enjoy? This is effectively a stealth tax on what are largely pensioners' social clubs.